The Big S

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I met with an amazing guy who is looking to set up a support group for anyone who has suffered a brain injury.

Gaz was in the army and was on the verge of being posted out to Afghanistan when he was out with some of his squadron. Another bunch of squaddies came along and bets were placed over who would jump from the highest cliff point and into a lake they were sat by. Being young lads and in the prime of their lives the bet was taken up and Gaz’s mate made the perfect dive into the water. Gaz tells me it would have won any Olympic diving contest it was that good, but when they went to collect on the bet, the other lads failed to pay up. Heated discussion took place and threats were made. Being the leader of the group Gaz laughed it off and turned to walk away. It was at that point his life changed for ever. He was punched twice and bottled from behind, falling to the floor hitting his head hard on the ground. His injuries were so bad that his brain swelled to the point that surgery had to take place to remove around ¼ of the brain. Gaz spent 6 weeks in a coma and on wakening was told he would not be able to walk, wash, clean his teeth on his own for at least a year due to the severity of his injuries.

This was not the way Gaz lived his life, he was a leader of men and no one was telling him what he couldn’t do! He tried getting out of his chair and went to stand up, but found his legs no longer worked as he fell to the ground, annoyed, frustrated and feeling like his life had ended.

One month later Gaz was back on his feet walking round the hospital and within 6 months was back in the Army. He had to give up his driving license which restricted him in the work he could do, but he was back with his mates. The Army placed him in a rehabilitation camp and Gaz set about getting his life back in order as he re-trained to a new role. Whilst he was there he came across the guys who started the fight. His mates approached them and asked them if they remembered nearly killing Gaz “Yes he deserved it” they replied. This was too much to cope with, especially when the court case took place and the lads got fined £500 and ordered to do 120 hours community service… £500 out of pocket for nearly killing a fellow human being.!! Gaz spoke with his Major and the decision was taken that he would need to leave the army as he felt they could not support his needs. On leaving the army Gaz turned to various charities for help. But these frustrated him, he was the only one in the group who had undergone open head surgery, meetings were too far to travel to and many of the volunteers talked in a way that made him feel patronised.

Gaz told me “Because I have an understanding of how people feel following brain injuries, I now want to set up a group to support them” The group will initially concentrate on “Brain Injured” but as it grows he will look to include those brain damaged from birth. “Brain Injuries are invisible and I find it frustrating that people can not acknowledge my issues” Gaz explained “ I now want to stand up for and support others who have suffered similar injuries” He already has the support of professionals who help him to understand the way the brain works and has 5-6 people already lined up to join the group, which will be called “The Big S” (Brain Injury Group Support) and will look to support people through their recovery and help them achieve their ambitions through activity weekends.

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The BIG S now meets every Friday between 11:00 & 14:00 at Central Methodist Church in Chapel Street, Glossop. Gaz describes it as “an opportunity for people to meet others and to realise they’re not on their own, it’s like a coffee morning for people with brain damage.”
The BIG S has the support of the local Social Services and Leonard Cheshire who are both grateful that there is now somewhere for Brain Injured people to meet up. Gaz is arranging for experts in the field to visit meetings to help educate both members and their carers on how to cope with Brain Injuries.
If you would like to get involved with the group or can offer assistance please contact Gaz through MCDSA using our contact details at the bottom of the page or e-mail Gaz direct at thebigsproject@live.co.uk